politics

Barack Obama’s becoming the 44th President of the United States has generated a huge buzz in the papers, on blogs, and on the TV in the past week. There’s the historic significance of his being the first African-American to hold the highest office in the land. There are big questions about whether his foreign and domestic policy agendas will stack up against the daunting challenges of a global recession, multiple war theatres, health care shortcomings and a whole host of other problems.

Some people believe Bill Clinton was a great President. Others are just as sure that he embarrassed the entire country with his reckless personal behavior. Both are firm in their convictions – with good reason.

President-elect Barack Obama announced last week that he has chosen Nancy Killefer for the position of the nation's first governmental Chief Performance Officer. Obama said he chose Killefer because she is “an expert in streamlining policies and wringing out inefficiences."

If you don’t recognize the impact and consequences of your lack of commitment to this mission critical project, you’re going to lose your people’s belief in your reliability as a competent leader.

There are a number of conversations being had these days about the Presidential candidates. One however seems to be missing. The simple yet profound impact of their basic leadership abilities. Leadership includes character and temperament, though it includes those. I and more than 25 of my co-authors from Berrett-Koehler Publishers have spent years learning and practicing in the fields of leadership and change. Through this work we have identified key attributes of effective leadership we have witnessed and fostered in the real world. Our conclusion: Barack Obama clearly exhibits these characteristics. These leadership aspects are based on the measurable performance and success of our respective clients for decades. To read more about the key characteristics of leadership we've identified and the list of authors in support of this effort go to the authors for Obama site.